Roy removed as TMC general secretary

Ending days of speculation, Trinamool Congress on Saturday removed its once powerful leader and second-in-command Mukul Roy as the national general secretary.

The decision could trigger a new political chapter in the state, as Roy, who fell out with Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee over his decision to cooperate with the CBI in the Saradha scam probe, is planning to float a new political outfit.

TMC’s working committee meeting on Saturday made the decision; a day after Roy was stripped of party’s leadership in Rajya Sabha and chairmanship of the TMC Parliamentary Party. The party sent a note to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Hamid Ansari announcing Roy’s removal as its House leader.

Trinamool secretary general Partha Chatterjee announced the decision to remove Roy as national general secretary after the working committee meeting. Party national president Subrata Bakshi has been chosen as new general secretary.

Elected to Lok Sabha from Kolkata South Parliamentary constituency after Mamata vacated the seat to become West Bengal chief minister, Bakshi is a close aid of the party chairperson.